HMS Gorgon (1871)

For other ships of the same name, see HMS Gorgon.

HMS Gorgon (1871)
Right elevation plan from Brassey's Naval Annual 1888–1889
Career (United Kingdom)
Name:	HMS Gorgon
Namesake:	Gorgon
Builder:	Palmers Shipbuilding, Jarrow
Cost:	£141,254
Laid down:	5 September 1870
Launched:	14 October 1871
Completed:	19 March 1877
Commissioned:	April 1872
Out of service:	1901
Refit:	1888–89
Fate:	Sold for scrap 12 May 1903
General characteristics
Class & type:	Cyclops-class breastwork monitor
Displacement:	3,480 long tons (3,540 t)
Length:	225 ft (68.6 m) (p/p)
Beam:	45 ft (13.7 m)
Draught:	16 ft 3 in (5.0 m) (deep load)
Installed power:	1,709 ihp (1,274 kW)
Propulsion:	2 shafts, 2 steam engines
Speed:	11 knots (20 km/h; 13 mph)
Range:	3,000 nmi (5,600 km; 3,500 mi) at 10 kn (19 km/h; 12 mph)
Complement:	156
Armament:	2 × 2 - 10-inch rifled muzzle loaders
Armour:	Belt: 6–8 in (152–203 mm) Deck: 1.5 in (38 mm) Superstructure: 8–9 in (203–229 mm) Conning tower: 8–9 in (203–229 mm) Gun turret: 9–10 in (229–254 mm)

HMS Gorgon was the first ship commissioned of the four Cyclops-class breastwork monitors built for the Royal Navy during the 1870s.

References

• Ballard, G. A., Admiral (1980). The Black Battlefleet. Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-924-3. 
• Gardiner, Robert, ed (1979). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1860-1905. Greenwich: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-8317-0302-4. 
• Parkes, Oscar (1990). British Battleships (reprint of the 1957 ed.). Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-075-4. 
• Silverstone, Paul H. (1984). Directory of the World's Capital Ships. New York: Hippocrene Books. ISBN 0-88254-979-0.